Proactively vs. Reactively Investing in a Home Security System

May 11, 2021

When you purchased your home, you got a home inspection to ensure its value and overall safety. But the last thing on a home inspector’s list is home security. Outside of you, the homeowner, who else is focused on your family’s safety?

This week’s blog comes to you from our Sales Training & Development Manager out of Des Moines, IA, Levi Poier. He’s taking a fresh look at the purchasing process and buyers who are proactive vs. reactive and how one can be much more costly than needed.

Why did he do it? “Because we want to avoid having bad things happen to good people,” says Levi. He’s right. And we’ve dedicated our lives and livelihoods to it since 1953!

Proactive vs. Reactive

Like all investments, we are best suited when we can research and think clearly about what we want to get out of our investment. I caution all of the families I meet with to avoid the trap of becoming a victim and then being forced to scramble for a solution to prevent future attacks. I want you to have peace of mind but I’d rather you do so proactively rather than reactively.

Here’s why.

Too often, I have found myself in a customer’s home, right after something terrible happened. The neighbors had a break-in, their parents had a water leak while on vacation or, worse, they had a burglary of their own. The words that always came up were scared, vulnerable and violated. This is not a great mindset to have when entering into any investment. Do yourself a favor and take action while you are at ease.

Proactive Peace of Mind

Security is there for your protection but also to give you peace of mind. It’s like insurance but not completely because insurance doesn’t ensure your health and well-being, only your financial well-being. Once you have your home’s security system set up, your return on your mental investment begins and it never expires.

Below is some food for thought and how I like to approach the conversation:

Intruders come in all shapes and sizes: home invasions, child safety, visitor verification, delivery protection, fire, carbon monoxide, water damage, frozen pipes, etc. The list goes on and only you as the homeowner can decide what “peace of mind” means to you.
Go with a company that has experience and longevity. Many companies are known for doing very large installs and customizations while some of the larger national brands may be focused solely on residential security systems. No matter the claim, ask questions and look for reviews about their installers. Do they have the training and experience to ensure a quality install?
Ask your trusted friends and neighbors who’ve installed security systems. How was the experience overall? How is the service? Do they get a live person when they call? Was the consultant knowledgeable? Do they include a service agreement to avoid getting unforeseen charges for service calls?

I always recommend sitting down with a professional security consultant to decide the system that is best for you. When a purchase is made reactively, I have often found that emotional homeowners will buy more than is actually needed. This can lead to buyer’s remorse and that’s not what we want! We want you to be customers for life with the protection you need.

Your Secure Investment Must-Haves

When preparing for your meeting, a good exercise is to think about what’s important to you, again, before an emergency has occurred.

Decide what is important to you.
- Security systems are on a spectrum and cost will vary based on what your individual needs are.
  - When comparing systems, ensure you are comparing apples to apples.
- Think through your home as if you were a home intruder, how would you get in?
  - A great place to start is how would you get in if you locked your keys inside?
  - Your security consultant will talk you through this process in an eye-opening fashion.
Have a budget or at least an idea of what you would like to spend.
- Be wary of companies offering free systems.
  - Nothing in this life is free. Security is definitely something worth making an investment in. These companies are often trying to lock you into a long agreement. You may or may not hear from them again until you have met your agreement date.

Most people decide on a system and never think of it again. Having a reliable consultant means you have someone who will keep up with how the evolution in technology can help with your ever-changing situation.

Hire a Consultant with an A+ Team

That being said, I can tell you that technology is only part of the equation. It’s only as good as the company installing, monitoring and servicing it. That’s why I urge everyone to do their research to decide what company fits them best before making a decision and before a life-threatening event happens.

Emphasis on a consultant, NOT a salesperson. A consultant will educate you on how to stay safe. A salesperson will tell you what he or she has to sell.
- If the representative won’t give you his or her direct number, move on.
- Feel free to directly ask for what you need. If he or she cannot provide it, it may be time to find a true consultant.
- Consultants want relationships to help vs. salespeople who want you to sign a contract.
You are best suited to handle the budget aspect of the decision. A consultant can help you bridge the gap between budget, function and peace of mind if needed.
Security is complicated and it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. A true consultant can help you swim through the details.
A consultant will educate you on all the risks so you can make the best decision based on your situation.
There are many things you can do from a security standpoint that do not cost you anything. A good consultant can and WILL educate you on how to stay safe whether or not you hire him or her.
Who else is playing on the team? Is there a reliable 24/7 monitoring center and customer support?

The bottom line is that we are here to help you out, whether you are being proactive or reactive. We want to arm you with helpful information so that you can make the most informed choice for your family. Do we want you to be Per Mar protected? That’s a resounding yes! We have invested in the people (from 24/7 Monitoring Center complete with redundant operations to our highly trained, professional consultants), the knowledge and the equipment to ensure your safety.

Nobody else did, so we made your safety our number one priority! Contact us for more information.